Dreadlocks are a fun way to experiment with your hair. The good thing with dreadlocks is that you can experiment with them in countless ways. Whether you have wavy hair, straight hair, curly hair or any other hair type, you can manage to have dreadlocks that look good on you. Dread braiding should be done in the right way for your hair to hold and to avoid any loose hairs that may make your dreadlocks not look as neat as you may want them to. Depending on the style of the locks you are into, you are in the right place, and we will give you the key to perfect locks.
What Hair Type Form Dreads?
You may be wondering whether your hair type is suitable for dreadlocks. The good news is all you need is your natural hair to get the locks going. You can decide to apply wax and get the locks in shape all by yourself, or you can let the locks form freely without you having to create dreadlocks on your hair manually. While any hair type can form dreadlocks, some people find it easier to form dreads than others do. Anyone with coiled kinky hair will not have any trouble trying to form even and free-forming dreads compared to anyone with straight hair. Let us look at the ways to form dreadlocks step by step/
How to Get Dreadlocks
1) Let Your Hair Grow
There are a few things you can do to get some good-looking dreadlocks. However, the very first step you need to take to start dreadlocks is to let your hair grow in as much volume as you can. Make sure you keep clean hair while at it, and the hair formed will be the start of something you will love. Some people do not have long hair but may want to experience mature dreads. There are extension options that are available in the market. However, to have the extensions, you still need to have long hair that will be able to hold the extensions. All your hair will play a huge role in the next set of dreads that you will have.
2) Know Your Hair Type and What Works
Before you start dreads, you need to know what your hair type is capable of. Some people will leave their hair to grow out, and they have some good-looking and legitimate locks before you know it. However, some people need to go the extra mile to get their hair to the point of having finished dreads. Any hair type can achieve beautiful dreads, as we had established before. Knowing your hair type will help you know which step to take next in your dreadlocks journey. You will need lots of patience at this time, and diligence will help you make dreadlocks that will blow everyone's mind.
3) Decide the Thickness You Want
Once you have started the locking process, you will have pretty much set the tone for how your locks will look until you start new growth. The dreading process is one you do not want to keep reversing after making decisions. Once you decide on the thickness you want, you will follow the steps that have been set out with success in mind. Then, you can wear dreadlocks without second-guessing if you make the right decisions at the right stages.
4) Wash Your Hair
You will need some hair washing products, and you must have a strict hair washing routine if you want to achieve the dreadlocks you are dreaming of. You can use a clarifying shampoo on your hair when washing to keep your hair clean and in good shape. Despite the myth that hair needs to be dirty to get good locks, dreadlocks form better on clean hair. This is because there will be nothing deterring the hair from locking together. However, the residue that forms on your hair impedes the rate of locking, and you have to keep your hair clean at all times if you want to see your locks sooner.
To keep the hair even cleaner, you need to use residue-free shampoo to avoid other foreign materials in your hair as you are trying to lock it.
5) Part the Hair
Once you decide the thickness of dreadlocks you want to have, it is time to part your hair into those sections. Whether you have straight or wavy hair, this process is the same for everyone. You can part your hair using a fine-toothed comb or rat tail comb. It would help if you formed patterns that can create rows on your head to end up with neat dreads that are not all over the place. Having a neat pattern will help you be more creative with your hair in the future as you try out different styles on your head.
6) Pick Your Prefered Method
Different methods can work for different hair types if you prefer them. For example, for a more textured hair type, you can use the crochet hook method, braids, comb-coils or double-strand twists to start the locking process. This hair type has no trouble forming dreadlocks and will not take longer than other hair types.
You can use a dread comb for straighter hair to help the hair tangle by itself. When you tease your hair enough, it will start twisting by itself. While you might end up with some loose hair strands, you are making progress using this method. You need to repeat this process until you reach the tip of the bunch and then secure the hair using rubber bands. Next, you need to put another rubber band on the base to secure the hair into place. People with straighter hair have the advantage of getting long dreads faster because textured hair does curl.
For Asian hair, you want to use the crochet method. Asian hair is the straightest hair, and it is quite difficult to lock compared to other hair types that we have mentioned above. You can use elastic bands or try to secure the hair, but you may end up at the point you started once you set the hair-free.
7) What About Dread Wax?
The dread wax is something we have not mentioned much in the article. There is a reason why we do not recommend that you apply dread wax. You can wash your hair to keep it clean, and you can do a lot of maintenance on your hair. However, if you use dread wax, you will be attracting a lot of lint, which does not look good. We will encourage you to use the materials such as residue-free shampoo to keep your hair free at all times.
Instead of using wax, you can use a natural holding agent if you have to. For example, flaxseed works just well, or you can use castor oil and aloe vera gel. These options are only meant to last a while, more like what hair spray does to your hair; it is not long-term.
8) Palm Rolling
You have been waiting for this stage because it is the thing you see most people do when forming dreadlocks. While the palm roll does not do so much to help the process, it sure does help with the hair locking in place. Palm rolling is one of those things you can relate to as a snowball effect. When palm rolling, try and do each hair section in one direction to have a consistent outcome. Use the same technique to get the same outcome.
9) Dryer
While you can air-dry your hair, technology has come a long way just for you. Your hair is probably still wet, and you might need to take some time under a dryer to allow your hair to set. You can air-dry hair if the option of having a dryer is not at hand.
10) Patience
Your hair might be a bit different and may end up unraveling even after going through all these stages. When that happens, worry not, you can repeat all the steps you used, and maybe your hair will start forming sooner. Loose strands may form, and your hair may act in unexpected ways. Keep in mind what to expect, and you will be okay.
Forming dreads may involve you starting with short hair. Your dreadlock forming will go through some stages before your hair fully matures. The formation stage can occur when you notice your hair naturally forming locks even when you do not comb them. This might happen to freshly washed hair sometimes.
The baby stage is where budding happens. This is more for people who started with short hair. Budding will not require an elastic band or aid to keep the locks forming. People who use the neglect method will mostly experience this stage.
The mature stage is just pure fun. The hair is not at risk of unraveling anymore, and you can focus on waiting for the hair to grow longer. Your hair at this stage is compact and in shape. Start using products like residue-free shampoo to keep your hair clean. You need to regularly get a hold of your spray bottle because keeping the hair moisturized will keep them healthy and strong.
The next stage might be the teenager stage, where your locks try to fall into their natural form regardless of how much you try to form them. Twisting strands may decide to go in the opposite direction to what you wanted. Knowing your hair more will make the forming process faster and more efficient.
How to Care for Dreadlocks
a) Wash your Hair
Washing hair is standard practice for any hair type. If you do not wash your hair, you will be at risk of getting mold growth on your hair, not the best outcome. Before you start dreadlocks, you have to know that a lot of care keeps the locks in place and neat. Know the locking gel you are using and how it affects your hair. Once you wash your hair, ensure it is completely dry by the time you are getting done with it. Keep your hair moisturized at all times.
The good thing is that once the hair is mature, you do not have to worry about how many times you can wash it. Instead, you can use apple cider vinegar rinse about twice a month on your scalp.
b) Sleep Routine
When going to sleep, you need to know what to do with your hair. These things called dreads are just hair like any other and will give you trouble if you do not routinely have a sleep routine for them. You can go about the routine by using a bandana to tie your hair. A stocking, do-rag, a loose pillow or a scarf will do too. Do not sleep with wet hair to avoid smelling of any kind. You can let your hair air dry if you have the time, but ensure all your hair is dry by the time you get to bed.
c) Repair and Lose Locking
Your dreadlocks keep forming in never-ending cycles. You need to ensure that you keep twisting in the same direction. Remember to avoid doing your hair very tightly to protect your scalp and give your hair some space to grow.
d) Removing
Maybe you have changed your mind and no longer want the dreadlocks. Luckily, regardless of whether you used the backcombing method, the twist and rip method, or the crochet hook to form your locks, you can still get your curly hair back. In addition, you do not have to cut your hair to get rid of the locks. There are conditioners just for that.
Final Take
Dread locks are the most fun thing you can try with your hair. You can still dye your locks and experiment with different styles while at it. However, dreadlocks might be a sensitive subject for one reason or the other in some places. Try and be aware of your environment. Otherwise, there is nothing but fun in rocking the locks. The anticipation built up during waiting makes everything even more fulfilling.
